Republic Day Parade: Unveiling the Hidden Costs and Meager Ticket Revenues

• The Republic Day parade, a symbol of national pride, has seen its expenses skyrocket from ₹18,362 in 1951 to an estimated ₹320 crore in 2015.
• Since the 1990s, the central government has not provided consolidated figures for the parade's total expenditure, citing multiple agencies' involvement.
• An RTI in 2008 revealed an estimated expenditure of ₹145 crore for parade preparations, while ticket sales generated only ₹17.63 lakh.
• Revenue from ticket sales remains minimal compared to the massive expenses, averaging ₹34 lakh annually between 2018-2020, and dropping significantly during COVID-19.
• The Ministry of Defence's Ceremonials Division has a separate budget for ceremonial events, but this does not cover the full cost borne by various agencies.

Why It Matters: Republic Day parade costs have surged over decades, with ticket revenues covering only a tiny fraction of expenses.